§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has considered the list of bathing beaches compiled in response to the European Economic Community directive; and if study of this matter leads him 440W to conclude that there are any beaches in the United Kingdom or within the rest of the Community where pollution is at such a level that the tourist should be advised to stay away;
(2) if he is satisfied that local authorities are properly concerned to ensure that bathing waters and beaches are not affected by sewage pollution.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe bathng waters identified by other member States of the Community, and their quality, are not matters for me.
As to United Kingdom coastal waters, there is for all practical purposes no risk to health from bathing. However, there are many areas which suffer from the effects of unsatisfactory short sewage outfalls. Water authorities, which have had responsibility for sewage disposal since their formation in 1974, have been making considerable efforts to improve the situation. A number of major schemes have been completed and many are due for completion in the next two years. But, since health cnsiderations are not involved, spending on further schemes must be weighed against the need to deal with other local problems and the availability of resources. I have no evidence to suggest that water authorities do not take their responsibilites in this field seriously.
I am sending the hon. Member a note dealing more generally with the implications of the European Community directive, the disposal of sewage through sea outfalls, and bathing and health. I am placing a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he proposes to add to the list of bathing beaches which have been notified to the European Commission as complying with the directive on bathing waters;
(2) if he will list those beaches which have now been listed as complying with the European Economic Community directive;
(3) why beaches at the following coastal resorts have not been included in the list forwarded to the European Commission of areas of beach or bathing water of satisfactory standard: Aberystwyth, Rhyl, Llandudno, Blackpool, Morecambe, Heysham, Whitby, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe, Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Broadstairs and Minehead.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe list of bathing waters identified as falling within the definitions contained in the European Community directive was given by my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Fox) in answer to a question on 14 December 1979 from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson).—[Vol. 975, c. 818.] The identification of these waters was made in the light of the advice issued to water authorities and local authorities and referred to in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Environmental Services to the question on 9 July 1979 from my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral (Mr. Hunt).—[Vol. 970, c.98] All waters meeting the selection criteria were identified. Other bathing water areas which failed to meet the criteria, including those listed by the hon. Member, remain outside the scope of the directive.
§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the proportion of the United 441W Kingdom's total number of beaches which have been listed as complying with the conditions set down in the European Economic Community directive on bathing water.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThis information could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost. However, the bathing waters identified cover about 42 kilometres of coastline.